SPINTHO.
Don’t say that. That’s blasphemy. Don’t say that, I tell you. We shall be saved, no matter WHAT we do.
LAVINIA.
Perhaps you men will all go into heaven bravely and in triumph, with your heads erect and golden trumpets sounding for you. But I am sure I shall only be allowed to squeeze myself in through a little crack in the gate after a great deal of begging. I am not good always: I have moments only.
SPINTHO.
You’re talking nonsense, woman. I tell you, martyrdom pays all scores.
ANDROCLES.
Well, let us hope so, brother, for your sake. You’ve had a gay time, haven’t you? with your raids on the temples. I can’t help thinking that heaven will be very dull for a man of your temperament. (Spintho snarls). Don’t be angry: I say it only to console you in case you should die in your bed tonight in the natural way. There’s a lot of plague about.
SPINTHO.
(rising and running about in abject terror) I never thought of that. O Lord, spare me to be martyred. Oh, what a thought to put into the mind of a brother! Oh, let me be martyred today, now. I shall die in the night and go to hell. You’re a sorcerer: you’ve put death into my mind. Oh, curse you, curse you! (He tries to seize Androcles by the throat).
FERROVIUS.
(holding him in a grip of iron) What’s this, brother? Anger! Violence! Raising your hand to a brother Christian!
SPINTHO.
It’s easy for you. You’re strong. Your nerves are all right. But I’m full of disease. (Ferrovius takes his hand from him with instinctive disgust). I’ve drunk all my nerves away. I shall have the horrors all night.
ANDROCLES.
(sympathetic) Oh, don’t take on so, brother. We’re all sinners.
SPINTHO.
(snivelling, trying to feel consoled). Yes: I daresay if the truth were known, you’re all as bad as I am.
LAVINIA.
(contemptuously) Does that comfort you?